Celestial Refining Divine Scripture

On the towering mountain, ancient trees reached into the heavens, and strange rocks were densely scattered.

The Immortal Spirit Qi was even more abundant, with thick Immortal Spirit Clouds swirling above the summit, nearly tangible.

Within the mountain.

Branching paths crisscrossed, with mountain trails winding between them.

As soon as one set foot here, various areas could be seen offering Immortal Jade, Immortal Elixirs, jade bottles—opportunities awaiting.

However, beside most of the more precious resources stood a black-armored puppet.

Clearly, to claim the treasures, one must defeat the puppet!

And higher up, five clusters of immortal fire floated, exceptionally tempting.

As for the Seed Disciple Token, it rested at the very peak, visible only upon ascending.

Even if one could not obtain the Seed Disciple status or the five clusters of immortal fire, they could still harvest substantial rewards.

Contestation, battle—unfolded in an instant.

Xu Yang did not pause for a moment, following the rugged mountain path, heading straight for the heights.

The first echelon behind him was already left far away.

About half a quarter of an hour.

Xu Yang halted.

On a flat area to one side, right beside a black-armored puppet, a purple Immortal Elixir was growing.

It exuded abundant vitality.

"Good stuff."

The aura of this elixir made Xu Yang’s eyes blaze with fervor; it was, without doubt, extraordinary.

Without delay, he stepped forward, appearing ghostlike in front of the puppet.

The puppet reacted instantly, bursting forth with might equal to the Late Stage of True Immortal, swinging its fist toward Xu Yang with savage intent.

"Its strength is still a bit less than Duan Tianyang’s!"

Xu Yang gauged the puppet’s power with its aura, then threw a punch of his own.

Boom!

The puppet’s body shuddered and retreated in disarray.

Soon after, a flurry of densely packed fist-shadows rained down violently.

Ten breaths later.

The puppet shattered.

Xu Yang plucked the Immortal Elixir and continued climbing.

After a while, having gathered several precious Immortal Elixirs, he finally saw the five suspended clusters of immortal fire.

Their auras far surpassed the Grade-4 fire seeds used in the assessment.

They were true immortal fire—each possessing unique divine techniques.

Should one master them, it would be akin to wielding a fearsome immortal fire, gaining strength and fortune.

For disciples of Black Fire Immortal Mountain who had earlier obtained fire seeds, gaining this immortal fire would mean their fire seeds would be utterly transformed, their power greatly increased.

It was an immense opportunity.

But Xu Yang merely swept his gaze over them and showed no further interest, heading straight for the summit.

The mountain peak was vast and empty.

The thick cluster of Immortal Spirit Qi above pressed down on Xu Yang with intense oppression.

In an instant, Xu Yang’s gaze was drawn to a single token floating in midair.

It was identical to the Dan Feng Seed Disciple Token he already possessed.

Jet black like ink, yet like unfamiliar jade, pure and bright without flaw.

The immortal fire engraved upon it was vivid, life-like; under immortal radiance it seemed to writhe, clustering as though a seed of flame.

"From now on, whatever trouble comes, Master will have my back!"

Xu Yang licked his lips, flashed forward beneath the token, and snatched it in one firm grasp.

Buzz!

A wave of ripples spread out.

The token lay quietly in Xu Yang’s palm.

Right then, he sat cross-legged on the spot, focusing his mind to refine it.

With this token, there could be no suspense!

With Yang Xiao, Duan Tianyang, and the rest gone, it was destined to be his.

What a pity that before the competition began, Duan Tianyang and the others had made so many preparations and warnings about defending the fight for the token—only to be eliminated at the very start, not even passing the second round.

It’s no exaggeration to say, this year’s fresh blood tournament pretty much established a new ’unlucky’ record for some!

The competition was both brilliant—and simple!

About a moment later.

Xu Yang succeeded in refining the token, put it away, and rose to head toward the edge.

Turbulent commotion drifted up from below.

Over a dozen disciples were fighting for the five clusters of immortal fire.

After a fierce contest, the five fires each found a master.

The five who secured the immortal fire were ecstatic.

Originally, they didn’t even have the right to compete for immortal fire.

Everything was the hand of fate.

Sensing Xu Yang’s gaze, the five looked up and could not help but show reverence.

Suddenly, one clasped his fists and called out, "Many thanks, Mr. Xu."

The other four paused, quickly responded, and all offered salutes.

If not for Xu Yang, such fortune would not have come to them.

It surely would have gone to Wang Li, Yang Xiao, and the others.

Xu Yang smiled faintly and waved his hand.

Across the distance, he spotted an extra figure beside Tongmin—it was Dan Qi.

Following his gaze, he instantly felt several eyes fall upon him.

Xu Yang unconsciously touched his nose.

What would the plot bring next?

He hesitated a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile and strode down the mountain despite the pressure.

He arrived straight onto the main square.

All eyes turned to him.

Of course, among them were several resentful, venomous gazes.

But at this moment, even Yang Xiao and Yang Yuan dared not act recklessly!

They could only watch helplessly as he basked in glory, becoming the focus of all attention!

"I suddenly feel someone has appeared who can suppress Yang Yuan." Ji Hong licked his lips, his gaze bright.

"Not necessarily. He’s powerful, but hasn’t yet ascended to True Immortal!"

"Yang Yuan’s progression from here will not be slow." Zhou Tai sounded doubtful: "With results like his, there’s not even any movement on the Immortal Pride List!"

"What do you know!"

Ji Hong curled his lips and said, "In all the great worlds of the Immortal Domain, among the three hundred sixty on the Immortal Pride List—do you think only those listed are worth anything? Don’t you see how many are not on it yet still outstanding?"

Zhou Tai paused, as if realizing the point.

He scrutinized Xu Yang, still harboring some doubts and awe.

"Congratulations, Mr. Xu."

Yang Yuan suddenly smiled and spoke, his tone and expression full of admiration, utterly unreadable.

Xu Yang responded with a slight smile, clasped his fist, and said, "If not for Mr. Yang’s gift, it would not have been so easy."

The smile on Yang Yuan’s face froze, but he quickly resumed as before.

"Mr. Xu, you jest."

"We are all brothers of the sect, with much to depend on one another in the future."

"Definitely!"

Xu Yang gave a playful smile and walked past Yang Yuan toward Tongmin and the others.

"Disciple Xu Yang pays respects to Sect Leader and all elders."

"No need for such formality!"

Tongmin lifted his sleeve with a cheerful smile, "You did brilliantly today. Your performance is the finest I have seen from Black Fire Immortal Mountain in many years."

"With such a foundation, your ambition is?"

Xu Yang spoke solemnly, "Disciple seeks to achieve the Ninth Grade Immortal Foundation!"

Ninth Grade Immortal Foundation!

At these words, the surroundings burst into commotion.

Even Tongmin and the elders were shaken to the core.

"Ninth Grade Immortal Foundation is as hard as reaching heaven; in all of Black and White Star Heaven, only one has appeared in the past millennium!" an elder exclaimed in awe.

But the profound foundation Xu Yang had shown made them feel it wasn’t out of reach.

If he truly attained the Ninth Grade Immortal Foundation, then Black Fire Immortal Mountain...

For a moment, even Tongmin found his heart stirring wildly.

One Yang Yuan, and now another Xu Yang.

Black Fire Immortal Mountain will rise.

"Good lad, true ambition."

Tongmin praised loud and clear: "Congratulations on becoming a Seed Disciple; do not grow complacent in times to come!"

Xu Yang nodded heavily and bowed deeply.

Right then, gazes all turned toward Hong Wei.

The Fourth Elder’s face was ashen, bitter at heart.

If only Duan Tianyang could switch places with Xu Yang.

Dan Qi flashed a sardonic smile, his amusement unnoticed by all.

Hong Wei’s face flushed, clearly unsettled within.

"Xu Yang, I am Third Elder Hong Wei. I have no direct disciple. Enter my tutelage, and all resources will be yours!"

"Are you willing to acknowledge me as your master?"

He took a deep breath and declared in a solemn voice, the sound echoing throughout the plaza, making all eyes turn, brimming with admiration and envy.

As Hong Wei said, to take Xu Yang in as his sole direct disciple meant unparalleled resources and status, far surpassing what Duan Tianyang could enjoy under the Fourth Elder.